Stumbo Will Work To Replace Coal Severance Funds

LEXINGTON, Ky.-- House speaker Greg Stumbo says he intends to see that $2.5 million in coal severance tax funds being used to help pay for renovations at Rupp Arena is replaced.

Stumbo told the Lexington Herald-Leader on Thursday that the funding could be replaced when bonds are issued for renovating the facility, "making it more of a loan than a grant."

Officials in Appalachian counties complained about lawmakers' decision to use coal severance taxes for the project.

Kentucky collects a tax on coal that is taken out of the ground, and gives some back to coal-producing counties to assist local governments and help diversify their economies. The amount of money gathered by the tax has declined over the past two years.